Shah Quotes

Trying to force something is the best way to stop it from happening.

If you assume that it is there, you will generally not be far off the truth…

it was being written in the East that 'Sufism was formerly a reality without a name: now it is a name without a reality'.

But the Sufis work IN the world, and therefore WITH 'things of the world'.

Sufis are not here to satisfy a demand. They exist to share what they have got. These two things are not always the same.

You can perceive a person's aspiration if it is genuine, because this creates a change in the emanations from such a person.

The automatism of man is overcome, in the words of Dhun'Nun, by aiming for 'being as you were, where you were, before you were'.

Only the search for truth is valid, the desire for wisdom the motive. The method is assimilation, not study.

If you are 'humble', it may help you in ordinary life. If you are not, you will get nowhere in higher things.

Not to be greedy is, paradoxically, the highest form of looking after one's true interests.

Sufis hold that the superior experience and knowledge comes to a man or woman in exact accordance with his worth, capacity, and earning of it.

Sufism is transmitted by means of the human exemplar, the teacher.

Laziness - The laziness of adolescence is a rehearsal for the incapacity of old age.

Mediation - Before you learn how to meditate, you must unlearn what you think meditation might be.

… the Sufi attitude is: ‘Let the real truth, whatever it may be, be revealed to me’.

People who have fallacious objectives are like the barren soil. The flowers grow from soil which is composed of the right objectives.

For this taboo, retribution would soon knock my doorBut, I still wouldn't let that hold my feet to move on anymore.

Stories are a communal currency of humanity.

The foolishness of youth with the cynicism of age is a dangerous combination.

But in Africa bureaucrats are usually too proud to accept a bribe, something I admire when I'm not the one being arrested.

Saying of the Prophet. The Bequest: I have nothing to leave you except my family.

Saying of the ProphetAngerYou ask for a piece of advice. I tell you : 'Do not get angry.' He is strong who can withhold anger.

Saying of the ProphetHelping othersI order you to assist any oppressed person, whether he is a Muslim or not.

Teaching:One hour's teaching is better than a whole night of prayer.Saying of the Prophet

Saying of the ProphetMonkishnessNo monkery in Islam.

Saying of the ProphetObligation to LearnThe pursuit of knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim.

Saying of the ProphetTruthSpeaking the truth to the unjust is the best of holy wars.

Saying of the ProphetTHE PEOPLEIt is the people who are God's family.(Muhammad the Prophet)

Saying of the ProphetSome behaviourI am like a man who has lighted a fire, and all the creeping things have rushed to burn themselves in it.

Saying of the ProphetThe BequestI have nothing to leave you except my family.

Saying of the ProphetFoodNobody has eaten better food than that won by his own labour.

Saying of the ProphetAccusationsAnyone reviling a brother for a sin will not himself die before committing it.

Saying of the Prophet.Lies, promises, trustHe is not of mine who lies, breaks a promise or fails in his trust.

Saying of the ProphetTasksWhoever makes all his tasks one task, God will help him in his other concerns.

Saying of the ProphetPracticeWho are the learned? Those who put into practice what they know.

Saying of the ProphetOppressionWhen oppression exists, even the bird dies in its nest.

Helping othersI order you to assist any oppressed person, whether he is a Moslem or not.

Saying of the ProphetDistributionGod it is who gives: I am only a distributor.

Saying of the ProphetWomenWomen are the twin-halves of men.

Saying of the ProphetReflectionThe Faithful are mirrors, one to the other.

Saying of the ProphetPrivacyWhoever invades people´s privacy corrupts them.

Saying of the ProphetLoveDo you think you love your Creator? Love your fellow-creature first.

Saying of the ProphetObjectsIt is your attachment to objects which make you blind and deaf.

The more golden the opportunity, the less likely you will see it.

It is not 'Have I got a chance?' It is more often: 'Have I seen my chance?

Nothing inspires like love. Love found and love lost...

Venture to a remote corner of a faraway land and, from the moment you get there, every person and every thing becomes an obstacle, designed to entrap you, to stop you proceeding on your way.

If you will not reprove yourself, ’ Saadi says, ‘you will not welcome reproof from another.

Whoever is to be wise despises himself. Only the ignorant trust their own judgement.

Great men are great until they know it. Saints are holy until they know it.